ANC MP Makhosi Khoza, who was fired as chairperson of Parliament's portfolio committee on public services and administration on Thursday afternoon, says the move against her was not surprising.
Speaking after the Ruth First Memorial Lecture at Wits University on Thursday night, Khoza said she expected action to be taken against her as MPs wanted to be led by someone who would tow the party line, The Times reported.
"Frankly, it was expected. I expected it because when we voted on August 8 2017 as the ANC, we decided which way we are going," Khoza told reporters.
"Again on Tuesday when I met (Minister of Public Service and Administration) Faith Muthambi in the ANC study group... people were charging at me... part of what they were saying is that they cannot be led by moral conscience," she said, according to the publication on Friday.
"They want to be led by somebody who follows the party line. I already knew that this is what the ANC is going to do... I am not surprised. I remain true to the mission of the ANC."
Eyewitness News (EWN) reported that Khoza believed she was being persecuted because the party is targeting members that it thinks supported the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma vote.
"I'm being persecuted for that, as well as for my stance on corruption but I have no control over the decision taken by the ANC," she reportedly said.
The Office of the Chief Whip in Parliament announced the move on Thursday, citing an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between Khoza and MPs.
The "irretrievable breakdown of relations", it said, arose from her "continued public attacks on ANC leadership and members of her ANC caucus" who voted on August 8 to keep President Jacob Zuma in office.
"Comrade Khoza's continued public attacks have led to her alienating ANC members of parliament including those in her committee resulting in an ill-advised and out-of-line decision to boycott any activity she is involved in," it said.